US ambassador to Rwanda, Peter H. Vrooman commended that the rights of People With Disabilities (PWDs)should be safeguarded from the family.
This was announced by Amb Vrooman on November 29, 2021 during a visit to the Masaka Business Incubation Center, a youth center for people with disabilities.
During the visit he was accompanied by various authorities including the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education for Technology, Vocational and Technical Education, Irere Claudette.
Like other youth, young people with disabilities are empowered to reach out to the job market and are given skills in entrepreneurship.
The center also works closely with EDC through its initiative “Work for All” program, which aims to help young people , particularly those with disabilities, get a job within two years.
The visit was part of a series of preparations for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is held annually on December 3, 2021.
The United States Ambassador to Rwanda, Peter H. Vrooman, said it was remarkable to see the support of people with disabilities through the center and reminded them that their rights should be protected from the family.
” Today It is so amazing to see these remarkable changes made thanks to this program and the testimonial message of supported youth. These young people should see our homes, our families and our workplaces as their safe places” He noted
Since the launch of the “Job for All” program, more than 700,550 young people have been trained for employment self reliance, while 52 institutions have decided to work for the inclusiveness of the sustainable development of people with disabilities.
At Masaka Business Incubation Center, 25 people with disabilities were trained, especially in the field of shoe making, leather making and more. So far each one claims to be earning at least 30,000 Frw per month.
Tania Tzelnic, Director ‘Umurimo kuri bose’ loosely translated as labor for All at EDC, said that all they are doing is striving to put on the market their knowledgeable youth.
“We are doing our best to put on the market the youth with adequate knowledge and creativity. Achieving the goal of “Labor for All” would not have been possible without the cooperation of USAID and the Government of Rwanda. ” She said
A report by the National Institute of Statistics (NISR) on the Rwanda Labor and Unemployment Survey conducted in August 2020 found that unemployment rate in Rwanda is at 16.7%, among those with disabilities at 18.5%, while in all youth it reaches 21%.
Young people in general, are struggling to find work, and it is more challenging for youth with disabilities it has worsened during Covid-19 pandemic.
The “Job for All” program aims to remove hindrances to employment for many young people, which will help them gain skills they need on the job market. The program will enable young people with disabilities to be provided with the necessary skills that will enable them to reach a better level and be helped to gain the essential experience. She added
By MUHIRE Désiré
